Count Off

The Drill Pad
Air Force Drill

Count Off

For drill purposes, count off is executed only from right to left in line and from front to rear in column or mass. Flight commanders and guides do not count off in line, column, or mass.

In Line
Requirements: Halted at Attention; in Line Formation; at Close or Normal Interval; in the Cadence of Quick Time

The command is Count, OFF. On the command OFF, all airmen, except the guide and element leaders, turn their head and eyes 45 degrees to the right, and the element leaders call out ONE in a normal tone of voice. After the element leaders call out ONE, airmen in the next file turn their heads and eyes in unison to the front and call out TWO.

This procedure continues in quick time until all files, full or partial, are numbered. All movements are made in a precise manner with snap.

In Column
Requirements: Halted at Attention; in Column Formation; at Close or Normal Interval; in the Cadence of Quick Time

The command is Count, OFF. On the command OFF, the element leaders turn their heads 45 degrees to the right and in unison call out ONE over their right shoulder in a normal tone of voice.

Once the number is sounded, the element leaders turn their heads back to the front as shown. Once the heads of the individuals of the previous rank are turned back to the front, individuals in the next rank turn their heads 45 degrees to the right and call out the subsequent number.

This procedure continues in quick time until all ranks (full or partial) have been numbered. Except when calling out their number, individuals remain at the position of attention.